QYou are campaigning for your husband and his party. How have people responded?
The response has been tremendous. People see Jagan Mohan Reddy as their leader. They want him to be the CM of Seemandhra. YSRC will sweep elections in Rayal-aseema and districts of Andhra. The party will do extremely well and form the first government of Seemandhra. People see me as “Jagan anna’s wife.” Even before I tell them that I am Bharathi Reddy, they know all about me. When I ask them to vote for Jagan or the party symbol, the response is ‘Kachitannga Jagan anna ne CM ga chudali (Definitely, our vote is for Jagan. We want to see him as the CM).
How is it like to manage politics, business and home?
I don’t know much about politics (laughs)… I got married in 1996, and since then I have been involved in election campaigning. The newspapers have called me a ‘star campaigner’, but I am not.
What are your expectations from 2014 elections?
I am praying that we get good governance, both at the Centre as well as the state. I believe India has 17 per cent of world’s population. We only need good leaders. Leaders who are honest and credible. Not leaders who forget about their promises after the elections. India does not need people who change their stand every now and then. We need a leader whose aim is public service.
On what basis was YSR-C manifesto designed?
The manifesto was not designed in high-power circles sitting in Delhi. Day in and day out Jagan was on the streets meeting people, asking them about their problems… He is aware of the issues of people.
Who do you think was behind Mr Jagan’s imprisonment?
It is political vendetta. A Congress MLA and a TD MLA filed the petition. It is a politically motivated case. According to the Constitution, a bail is mandatory after 90 days if the investigating agency fails to finish investigation. This was not done in our case.
How did you manage when Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy was in jail?
It was very painful… (tears up). Injustice was being done. It was undemocratic and done in a high-handed manner… just like the way the state was divided.
Do you hold rival parties responsible for your husband being jailed?
My father-in-law was Naidu’s colleague. Thou-gh they were from different parties, they belonged to the same Assembly for three decades. Most of the people in Delhi too worked with my father-in-law. And yet this is the kind of injustice they do to their own colleagues. Such people are not fit to rule. They have no empathy or compassion. Nobody can change anybody’s destiny. If they think that by sending Jagan to jail for 16 month, they can crush us, they are wrong. Whatever is God’s plan, will surely happen.
Tell us about elections without YSR?
Five years ago, when my father-in-law was alive, life was so different for us and the people of the state. Even today, everyone remembers YSR. While campaigning, most people talk about him. Everyone reminds me of my father-in-law.
How is the party handling the demise of Shobha Nagi Reddy?
Shoba amma was a dynamic leader and like a family member to us. She often accompanied me to the court. It is difficult to believe that she has left us. I last met her when she accompanied Jagan for his nominations. Even now we find it difficult to believe that she is no more among us.
Actor Pawan Kalyan criticised your husband in Triputai (TIRUPATI??) on April 30, alleging that Jagan Mohan Reddy had indulged in corruption. What is your reaction?
Does Pawan know that there is a difference between an allegation and a fact. People should not let their tongues loose without knowing the facts.
